Friday, May 6, 2011

Oh sure, we all love peonies, tulips and roses. And around this time of year there are a lot of blog posts and photos of these classic beauties.

But this week I'm changing my ways and opening my doors and vases to the Alstroemeria.

Do you even know what an alstroemeria is? I wouldn't, had it not been the favorite flower of an old boyfriend who liked them since they are so affordable. He never actually gave me any-just told me their name and mentioned that he liked them.

Year after year I've walked right past the very inexpensive yet sizable bouquets that are always available and come in so many appealing colors. Sure, I've known all along that they last probably twice as long as your basic cut flower and I'd even venture to guess two to three times longer than the prissy peony. They're always the filler flower in florists bouquets that are the last to fade.

For some reason I bought a bunch this week. I'm trying to bring some color into my kitchen and thought, why not?

I divided the $5 bouquet and plopped them into my milk glass urns that were looking very empty. Perfect!

They usually look very underwhelming in the grocery store. But since getting them settled in they've opened up and are really pretty.

From now on I will be bringing home Alstroemeria more often (also known as Peruvian Lily, Lily of the Incas or Parrot Lily) though not THAT often because they last so long.

I'm not declaring and all out floral revolution here, all I am saying is that you peony lovers out there should give the Alstroemeria a chance!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

When I announced that I was going to donate the April proceeds I was thinking my goal should be about $1000 in sales, which would get us to $2000 in total donation. I'm happy to say that we exceeded the goal.

Thank you to everyone who supported the effort! I especially want to thank Janet who made it such a success by telling her readers several times about it.

Shown here modeling one of my bracelets

And thank you toDani who also posted about the campaign and her satisfaction with her jewelry purchase.

Dani modeling her purchase

Making jewelry is really a creative outlet for me-clearly, I'm not in it for the money. I get so much satisfaction hearing someone tell me how happy one of my designs makes them. And when I get to see someone wearing one of my pieces, I'm thrilled to the point of distraction. Another benefit that I never expected was that making jewelry would result in making connections and new friendships.

So, while filling orders in April kept me busy and at times a little stressed, I was so motivated by the new connections, kind words and positive feedback that came back to me.

I wanted to share some of the e-mails I got:

* This means a lot to me personally, as my mother is from Japan so I have family there. Fortunately, they are south of the horrible destruction from the earthquake and tsunami, and were spared the brunt of the disaster.

* Thank You for giving me the pleasure and opportunity of working with you!

* Your package was just delivered......the necklace is awesome! The length is perfect and the toggle is beautiful Thank you so much for going the extra mile and expense to make sure I received it before my trip. I'm so excited and can't wait to wear it.

* My beautiful pearl bracelets just arrived in the mail and I can't thank you enough. They are even better than I expected. The quality is stunning, just what I have been looking for! Amazing too that the funds went to such a worthy cause, very incredibly generous of you.

About

I'm a stay at home mom with too many hobbies. I used to blog (monkeygrasshill.blgospot.com) about my DIY projects around the house and in the garden in our home right outside of Washington, DC. In the summer of 2013 my husband, son and I moved to London.
While things are definitely different on this side of the pond, I'm the same girl in a different city now.
Still hoarding house plants and tableware. Searching for treasures and entertaining whenever possible.